Chapter Six: First Movement
It was closing in on the end of May, the nights had been rather hot of late. So Mamoru had opted to be comfortable, not bothering with a shirt, just a pair of old grey cotton shorts and bare feet. The house was to old for air conditioning, even though it had limited power outlets. They had bought a few fans, placing them around the house.
"No." Mamoru groaned, feeling trapped on the phone, while Yaten droned on and on about the Komada Festival and all his troubles. He barely knew the guy, the last thing he wanted to do was help him out...and how did he even find his phone number. Mamoru thought bitterly.
Usagi wandered into the kitchen, a Popsicle stick hanging from her now sugary red lips. Her throat had been bothering her a-lot lately so he had brought home a box of frozen treats for her after School last evening.
He happily received a deep passionate kiss from her on the veranda. Now most of the box was gone and it had been less then twenty-four hours since he bought them. He figured his princess's throat was really hurting or she had one hell of a sweet tooth. He was opting for the latter.
Usagi gave him a questioning look, as she past through the kitchen, dressed in a simple pink cotton nighty with a cute soft blue bunny face on the front. The outfit made her look so innocent and cute. She had her hair down, the golden locks flowing down her back like a cape as she swished through the room.
Mamoru sighed heavily, finally giving up on the conversation and just hanging up on the man. Mamoru wasn't known for good manners when it came to people he didn't really like or know that well. Setting the black house phone on the wooden island he followed his Usako into the living room hoping for some snuggle time on the couch. His hopes were dashed away quite brutally, when he found that mass of fur, Luna. Lounging on one half of the couch, Usagi sitting comfortable in a corner. Absently petting the giant panther, who's head was in her lap. Both were watching cartoons, thoroughly enjoying themselves. Luna wasn't one to watch t.v. But she had been making it a silent mission to limit the amount of personal time the human had with her Princess. They would be gone within the week, she wanted to keep their affections to a minimum. So the separation would go more smoothly. It was to late to protect Serenity from heart ache. But hopefully if they didn't get to attached, her healing would go faster. And it bothered the stupid human when she interfered which only spurned her on more.
Mamoru hated cartoons, he was too serious to appreciate them. Then to his horror he noticed the arm of the white plush couch was shredded.
(Luna...we have like twenty tree's out back, why are you killing the couch!) Mamoru shot the cat an angry mental lecture.
Luna sighed, ignoring his existence. Mamoru growled, that cat made him feel like the lowest creature alive. Grumbling he decided to hole up in his room and do homework. The summer semester would be coming to an end in just over another month so he had to prepare for finals, since he did so poorly on his mid-terms he had to really make some amazing marks to get into the Winter Semester.
Brushing a hand through his hair, he pulled aside the rice divider to his bedroom. His mind reviewing the study tasks for tonight, absently stepping into his room, suddenly feeling something very wet, very sticky oozing between his toes. Mamoru swallow, looking down at his foot in dread. A soggy mass of fur lay in a large puddle right in the middle of his doorway. He cringed in disgust, lifting his foot lightly, his stomach churning sickeningly at the soft sucking sound his foot made. His face went pale, as the acidic stench hit his nose as he lifted his foot to the side to inspect the damage. Glancing down at the putrid mass, he saw small white bones mixed in with the giant fur ball.
(LUNA!) He screamed in his mind, his face going beet red in fury. Hoping manically down the hall to wash his foot, he stumbled and bumbled into the walls making a hell of a racket. Cursing and swearing out the Cat in every japanese swear he had ever learned. Dreading if the bones he saw were from neighbourhood pets.
Luna chuckled happily in Usagi lap, (Music, sweet Music...) she thought merrily, she so enjoyed pushing Mamoru's buttons.
(Why can't you get along with him?) Usagi smacked her cat on the top of her head, chastizing her with a grumpy look.
(Because I am bored and driving him nuts is great entertainment for me.) Luna raised her great head up from Usagi lap to face her golden haired Mistress. Smiling smugly, showing her rows of sharp teeth. Then merely placed her head back down on her lap to receive more scratches behind her round ears.
Usagi sighed and rolled her eyes, pushing her head off her lap and standing up.
(Were are you going?) Luna almost whined, she enjoying her affections.
(To clean your mess.) Usagi turned to her, hands on her hips as if confronting a poorly behaving child.
Luna huffed, not liking being chastised one bit, she was the adult here. She leaped off the couch and sulked outside.
After Mamoru finished washing his foot, he was greeted by Usagi in the opening of the bathrooms rice paper divider. She stood with a big pout on her full lips, holding her yellow post-it pad to her breast, her large blue eyes staring up at him. He couldn't help but chuckle, his bad mood brightening instantly by her cute display, her note read "GOMEN" in Kanji.
"Oh, Usako." Mamoru gave her a rueful smile, kissing her on the forehead lovingly, drawing her into a small hug. She desperately wanted him and Luna to get along, but the cat simply hated him.
Later that night, Mamoru still couldn't sleep, he lay on his mat, staring up at the dull ceiling. Usagi was snuggled in next him, her head resting on his shoulder. Her fingers brushing in small circles upon his bare chest. Mamoru groaned huskily, he could feel all of her again. She didn't come to bed naked every night only when the whim took her to show him deeper affection. Mamoru had found her naked body distracting at the beginning, but slowly the feeling of her every curve and soft skin became comforting through out the night.
Mamoru sighed, lifting the sheet lightly, a small smile tugging at his lips as he took in her perfect body pressed up against his side. "Naked again I see." he joked, lying the sheet back down.
Usagi blushed and smiled warmly, rising up on an elbow to place a tender kiss on his cheek. Settling down against him completely comfortable. Mamoru on the other end, was slightly uncomfortable,.. in his pants yet again. He would get used to this...it was a Lunarian thing. She had to get used the strange customs of humans. It wasn't like he didn't enjoy feeling her soft silky skin against his, he was becoming more comfortable with her in this state. He wasn't ready to be naked with her yet, to share fully in the "bonding". She accepted it, understanding that he was having a difficult time seeing past the physical boundaries of ones naked flesh. She would be patient, she wanted to have a strong soul bond with him before initiating the act of love making. She wanted her first time to be pure, in every aspect.
"I think Luna's eating the neighbourhood pets." Mamoru stated right out of the blue.
Usagi blinked nervously, letting the idea sink in. The gravity of it, sobering her like a slap in the face. She had been seeing notices up on the lamp posts about missing dogs. Now she was worried, it didn't help matters when Luna returned home as they were having breakfast at the kitchen table the next day. She was purring happily refusing breakfast because she said she ate out that night.
Mamoru dropped his fork on his plate of pancakes, staring dumbstruck at Usagi who looked just as shocked. Not good...
Yaten was on the hunt,. tracking Mamoru like a panther on the scent of a scared poodle. He was prepared to go to war, even dressing for the occasion in green kaki shorts and a camo tank top, a silver pair of dog tags hanging from his neck. He caught sight of his prey a few blocks away, when he had left the crowds to cross the street, his golden girl skipping beside him. He was in jeans and a black tank top, that awful green jacket making him stand out in the crowds like a badly dressed beacon. His young girlfriend was dressed much more stylishly, with a white skirt and powder pink tunic that fell alluringly off her shoulders, her hair up the Odango's and tails he would spot anywhere. Those two were never to far apart, Yaten noticed as he moved against the now surging crowds from the opposite side of the street. He needed the Kohai(freshman) to be reasonable, he had no one else to ask and the festival was going to start in couple days. The University was cancelling classes, for the last few days of the school week so the Komaba Campus could have it's festival. The "Circle" of clubs had finally agreed to the venues, and were in the middle of setting up the booths and stages.
"Chiba!" Yaten leaped up to rise above the crowds,waving his hand over his head franticly.
Mamoru heard his name, casting his gaze over his shoulder casually, upon seeing the short silver haired young man attempting to flag him down. His deep blue eyes changed from relaxed to frantic, he quickly glanced around the stores needing to find an escape route. Usagi was confused by the sudden change in Mamoru. His calm state had done a one eighty in seconds flat, now he was glancing around himself in a panic as the crowds surrounding them began to thin.
He lunged for her, grabbing her wrist and yanking her into a dead run down the sidewalk. Usagi yelping in fright, as she was rudely hauled off. He cast his face right and left, finally finding a refuge.
"Chiba!" Yaten called out in a panic yet again, weaving through the crowds, seeing his prey making a dash for freedom across the street, where a large mall sprawled behind a busy parking lot.
Usagi's little feet slapped against the cement, as she stumbled behind Mamoru who was mercilessly dragging her at his top speed across the open pavement of the parking lot. With no voice to call out her concerns about not being able to keep up, she merely had to focus all her strength to keep her feet beneath her. Soon they were racing through the large silver and glass sliding doors that led into the malls main foyer. Usagi gaped in awe at the shopping metropolis fanning out before her and above her on huge balconies. Still tripping and skipping behind Mamoru as he pulled her along, her eyes scanning the rainbow barrage of glowing signs. The windows along the stores full of merchandise, displayed in a alluring fashion that drew the eyes.
She giggled with delight, this place was nothing like the small stores or the one department store Mamoru had taken her to before. It would take her all day to explore this shopping mecca.
Mamoru cast one last look over his shoulder, with dismay finding Yaten racing through the sliding doors searching for him.
"Kuso(shit), doesn't that guy ever give up!" Mamoru cursed, ducking into a store beside them not paying any attention as to what kind of store it was.
He ducked behind a rack of clothes, peeking just above the metal carousel keeping his eyes on Yaten through the front window. The silver haired man was prowling just outside the store, scanning the malls wide hall to any sign of them.
Usagi let go of his hand, wandering off to investigate the store. Mamoru paid her no mind, his focus on keeping track of his stalker outside.
Usagi hummed nearly silently, her voice was close to leaving her again. The healing only lasting a few days. She was perplexed as to how her voice was suddenly feeling better, but it gave her hope that it would one day come back to her. She brushed her fingertips along the edge of a shelving unit, further back in the store surveying the strange objects set there. Cocking her head to the side in confusion, she tried to understand what she was looking at. A line of rainbow colored hard plastic shafts, stood in a row, some were smooth, others had bulbs of various sizes along their length. At the end of the shelf were a set of various whips, some with feathers, set on hooks. Cuffs covered in pink plush, then a rack of dress up clothes caught her eye. She figured at this point it was some kind of toy store, skipping over to the dress up clothes she began to turn the carousel looking for something to try on.
"May I help you, deary?" A kindly older woman, approached her. She was some what heavy set, but still very attractive in her navy corsette and tight leather black pants. She had her long black hair tied up in a single long pony tail on top of her head. With a heavy amount of makeup, and cheery red lips.
Usagi smiled gratefully, inclining the rack of clothes. She liked playing dress up, it had been a-lot of fun at Motoki's and Mamoru had enjoyed playing with her too.
Several minutes later the kind lady guided her into the backrooms dressing area and was catering to her. Bringing her several leather outfits to try on, along with various accessories to compliment the outfit. Gushing at how beautiful she looked and how her boyfriend was going to just love her in this outfit.
"Usako." Mamoru whispered, suddenly realizing Usagi wasn't by his side, with his hand blindly flailing at his side searching for her. He finally tore his gaze away from tracking Yaten, to his were abouts.
He paled, swallowing in dread. Taking in the shelves of sex toys, feathers,and leather whips. His embarrassment growing by the second, face beginning to burn unable to take his eyes off the lewd objects surrounding him. His inner self was screaming, as to what could have happened to his sweet, innocent Usako. What was he thinking bringing her in here, she must be so ashamed and nervous...was she hiding somewhere?
He turned in a circle, freezing in place as a blonde bomb shell left the changing rooms at the back of the store. Sauntering down the narrow corridor between the counter and shelves, her long golden tails trailing seductively behind her curving back.
Mamoru's jaw dropped, his face glowing. Dark blue eyes roving hungrily over her subtle leather clad outfit that clung to her like a second skin. Her breasts pushed up, and together in a tight black leather corsette, that hung so low, that if she was to bend over her breasts would have fallen out. It barely covered her torso, revealing her flat smooth stomach. Accented with silver belts and buckles, in an almost gothic appeal. A black mini skirt adorned her well shaped hips, barely covering her ass, with just a hint of white lace along her short hemline. With matching black lace panties underneath, just peeking out underneath the erotic skirt. She had found black silk leggings that ran up to above her knees, a pair of black high heels, and short leather biker gloves. A whip and a set of black leather cuffs finished the outfit, hanging off her hips.
Mamoru was so turned on, he couldn't move, couldn't breath, couldn't even think straight. His pants were again suddenly to tight, and his palms were sweaty. He could only stand and blink dumbly at his once sweet, cute little bunny, suddenly transformed into the Bondage Queen of Death!
"Usako..." Mamoru breathed, finally able to claim some of his senses, and rip his hungry gaze away from her gorgeous body. A near force of will keeping his stare directed to her face. She giggled, bright blue eyes dancing with glee, smiling sweetly at him. Spinning in a circle as if showing off a new sun dress. Her breasts bouncing slightly in her exuberance, swaying her butt as she turned, completely oblivious to the erotic display she was making of herself. With a groan and bitter laugh, Mamoru slapped a hand over his eyes. Of course she wouldn't get it. She was way to innocent to realize this was a sex store. Then he noticed the proud middle aged lady standing by the dressing room, admiring her work. Nodding his head in understanding he knew she had been convinced to wear the outrageous outfit for his sake. He knew she would do anything, if told it would make him happy.
"Whoa!" Yaten breathed in awe. He stood in the doorway to the store. Leaning off to the side to see around the taller Mamoru. His jaw was hanging low, green eyes wide in approval and pure disbelief at what he was seeing.
Mamoru yelped at hearing his voice, jumping in front of Usagi to block her from his roving eyes. He back stepped with Usagi pressed up against his back. She clutched at his upper arms, as he pushed her back, leaning around his arm to give him confused looks.
"Go get your regular clothes on Usako...ok." Mamoru sounded exasperated, he wouldn't look at her, keeping his eyes on Yaten and shielding her half naked body from his view.
She let go of his arm, pouting up at him, not expecting this off handed treatment. She thought she looked good in this dress up outfit. Had no idea what it was, but she liked how she looked in it.
Mamoru sighed, turning to her as he felt her let go of his arm. Rolling his eyes as he saw her pouting lip, as she retreated back to the dressing room. She ducked inside out of view for a second, then leaned out with a disgruntled look sticking her tongue out at him. Mamoru chuckled ruefully, brushing a hand nervously through his hair...yes...the woman was nothing but trouble. But damn way to cute!
"I need your help, man." Yaten relented, his voice nearly whining as he pleaded with Mamoru. They were standing out in the main corridor of the mall once more, having moved further down from the erotic toy store.
"I don't play in public." Mamoru sighed closing his eyes and pinching his nose in frustration.
"I can't play the guitar right now." Yaten sighed, waving his two fingers currently in metal braces in Mamoru's face.
"What happened?" Mamoru groaned, but not really caring.
"Hitomi Chow, is what happened, the girls a menace. She slammed the piano cover over my fingers last music class." Yaten growled, his green eyes flaring with irritation at the memory.
Usagi had been standing listening to the conversation politely, but it kept going in circles and she was getting bored. With a sigh, she rolled her eyes casting her gaze around her trying to find something interesting to watch. A store window a little further up the corridor caught her eye. It had several types of instruments propped up on display. She silently wandered away, leaving Mamoru to fight with his friend.
Several minutes later, Mamoru thought to check on Usagi. Finding to his chagrin she was gone again.
"Damn that girl!" He shouted, startling Yaten with his vehemence. Yaten followed behind him, as he prowled away growling and mumbling under his breath. About her having no common sense, and causing him nothing but trouble and worry. Sounding more like an father with a errant child, then a loving boyfriend which was confusing Yaten to no end.
They wandered up the mall a few stores, finding a small crowd growing within a music store. Strange, beautifully mournful melodies floated out of the store, on the tones of a flute. Mamoru pushed through the crowds knowing it must be Usagi, she always managed to draw a crowd or get into trouble when they went out in public.
Apologizing as he rudely pressed through the entry way, he found her standing on a small grey felt dais in the middle of the store. Her eyes were closed, lost in her thoughts, swaying to the music she was making, with a silver metal flute pressed softly up against her lips. Looking so beautiful and serene, lost in her music.
"Maybe Usagi will play at the festival?" Yaten commented lightly, dually impressed with the girls abilities.
Mamoru groaned in dread.
The shopping trip ended right after the music store, Mamoru had to buy her the flute she was just to happy with it in her hands. She thanked him with a kiss on the cheek, giggling with joy as she hugged the brown leather instrument case to her breast. As they left the store, Yaten asked her if she would play at the Festival. She thought about for all but two seconds, before nodding an affirmative. Mamoru groaned in distain, getting a disgruntled look from her.
She had lost her Lunarian flute, during the skirmish with the bandits.
It was lying somewhere lost in the under brush of the forest. She had mourned it's loss, missing the soft ethereal sounds it made. The flute Mamoru bought was very different from her, cherished flute. Her new one was made of metal and she had to blow along its' side to produce sound. Her lunarian flute was carved from Moon Stone, a pearl white material that looked very much like marble. She would blow on the end to produce sounds. While the new metal flute had strange keys to compress her old flute was much more simple with holes along it's length.
She sighed sadly at the remembrance, Mamoru cast her an odd look, she gave him a strong smile wanting to alleviate his worry over the sudden melancholy falling over her.
He took her hand leading them though the sliding doors. The sun was bright as they left the dim lighting within the mall. Mamoru shielded his eyes with an arm, while Usagi press her face into his upper arm with a painful moan. The heat of the day slammed into them as if a force itself, as they bid Yaten goodbye. Heading off to finish their shopping and hide at home with the fans for the rest of the day.
The soft evening light fell away into the calmness of night. The new flute, Mamoru' had bought Usagi was never out of reach from her all day. After supper she had disappeared onto the front veranda, relaxing in the cool evening breezes on the small wicker bench. She sat sombrely on the soft beige cushion set on top of the bench, her flute pressed lightly upon her full pouting lips as she sent her breath calmly into the instrument. Her slender fingers dancing upon the keys, sending forth a hauntingly beautiful melody towards the ghostly glow of the rising half moon.
Luna was lounging on the back deck, when she heard the familiar tune of a Lunarian lullaby. Her round ears swivelled to listen more intently, before rising with a sigh of longing to join Serenity on the veranda. She padded around the house, finding her "Daughter" sitting primely on the wicker bench her lithe body swaying with the mournful tune, her eyes closed lost within the memories of her childhood.
Mamoru sat at his work bench in his room, hunched over a text book mumbling in frustration, chewing on a pen tip. First he heard the soft melody, weaving throughout the house drawing his attention away from his studies with deep melancholy. Then Luna's deep passionate voice began to echo within his mind.
(Sleep, my babe for the eternal stars have come.
The silent twilight falls
Shadows from the deep dreaming comes. To wrap the realms in thrall.
A silver light, o my child, my joy, my love and hearts desire.
To you the crystal sings a lullaby beside my dying pyre.
Dusk is drawn, the Elysian Thorne is wreathed in rings of gold.
Helios soars the dreaming till morn, alone in search for a light for told.
The goddess of the pale moon. Hath faded, though her silver light holds true.
And weeps to hear the sad sleep tune.
I sing, o love to you.
For the goddess of the pale moon, hath faded, though her silver light holds true.
And weeps to hear the sad sleep tune.
I sing, o love to you.)
Mamoru had slowly been overcome by the pure sadness of love and loss hidden within the lyrics. The words resonated through his own soul, causing brief tears to escape his stormy eyes. As Luna's voice fell silent, he quickly wiped the embarrassing moisture away. Never had a song affected him so deeply.
A few minutes later he heard Usagi clattering in the kitchen preparing tea. He felt bad, her throat was hurting her again from playing her flute to much. She just never seemed able to just enjoy something without causing herself pain.
A soft padding whispered beside his ear, Mamoru turned to his rooms open divider seeing Luna lightly moving into Usagi's room to sleep.
(That was beautiful.) Mamoru cast towards her through his mind.
(Thank you, human. It was a lullaby Queen Serenity would sing to her daughter almost every night.) Luna cast back, a bitterness in her tone.
(It sounded more then just a lullaby?) Mamoru observed.
(Yes, it is also a prophecy given to the Queen upon her daughters birth.) Luna nodded, receding into the room and out of his sight, killing the conversation there. She wished no more of this line of thought, she found it all to depressing.
Another disappointing day finished at Juban High, the heat wave was finally breaking with the onset of heavy clouds. The dark grey mass rolled in over the city, masking the sun's rays, splintering the light over the city. The cooler day came with much thanks from Usagi, who was finding her heavy uniform unbearable to wear in the heat. Usagi cast her face up at the ominous sky, absently listening to Naru prattle on about her boyfriend Umino. She had yet to meet this elusive man, since he went to Moto-Azabu Private High School.
Soon they were breezing into The Crown Arcade for their now usual after school, video game and milkshake fix. As was her custom, Usagi quickly scribbled her cute little nick name for Motoki on her writing pad. The dusty blonde man, was hunched over a book, wearing his typical white t-shirt and grey dress pants, his white apron tied up behind. Turning from his book on the front counter towards the tell tale hiss of the sliding doors opening. His face lit up in a bright smile as Usagi pressed her note to her breast, doing a little cute dance of swaying back and forth on the balls of her feet as she approach him. The little sign read. (TOKI-TOKI!)
Motoki laughed, placing two small plastic cups full of tokens for her and Naru on the ugly orange plastic countertop.
It didn't take long for Saphir to track her down at her favourite panel scrolling fighting game. He had been lurking around her trying to make conversation with her for weeks. She had remained aloof but polite with him. His bold attentions towards her made her nervous, so she tried to avoid him as much a possible. "Hey, there Usagi-chan!" He leaned against the console, reaching over to brush her shoulder with his large hand.
Usagi cast him a small smile, leaning out of his reach subtly still retaining her focus on her video game. She tried to ignore him, her hands busy tapping the buttons and twisting the joystick. Her warrior in the dark blue skirt,and white leotard, spinning and kicking at horrid monsters in some alley in the game. She had been working on this level for a few days now trying to master a combo attack against the end boss. She had no time for pleasantries with this young man who just didn't seem to take a hint that she wasn't interested in him in the ways he wanted.
Saphir was patient, he crossed his arms over his chest, watching her play the level absently out of the corner of dark blue eyes. A few minutes later and she was dead again, thanks to a very frustrating boss battle.
She let off a soft cry of frustration, paying for attempting to make a sound by her throat starting to burn again. With a tired sigh, she rose from her worn red round cushion on the stool. Noticing Saphir was still waiting for her, she picked up her yellow post-it pad and pen from beside the game console, and her leather satchel. Paying him a small smile, she turned and headed away from him down the corridor of video games searching for Naru.
Saphir fell in beside her, making small talk trying in vain to engage her. Usagi remained polite, casting him tolerant smiles from time to time. Needing to find Naru, so the red haired girl who was far more bold when it came to guys could save her from him. Naru called people as she saw them, and she didn't put up with jerks or users. Saphir was both, and Naru had put him in his place more then once.
"Saphir!" A shrill voice exploded through the arcade.
Usagi and Saphir had just passed into the furthest row of games. Saphir groaned, casting his eyes down to his feet with a bitter look on his face, his dark fringe falling into his dark blue eyes. Usagi swallowed, not liking the threat resounding in the boy's name. She moved lightly over to a row of video game consoles, peeking just above a machine. She was suddenly feeling quite nervous by the set of four older girls, standing on the black entry mat. They were all wearing the grey uniforms with red bows of T.A Academy for Girls. The Catholic all girls private school that was just down the block from Juban High. The tallest girl was the one yelling, she had long green hair that flowed around her shoulders in thick waves, with a stern beauty. The next girl had long very curly dark hair, with two buns on the sides of her head that looked like cat ears. Her features were more exotic and bold. The third girl had long brunette hair tied back into a french braid, she looked sweet and graceful. The shortest had long platinum blonde hair tied into a long braid, with a cute demeanour.
"You have to help me." Saphir hissed, grabbing her hand and twisting her around to met his pleading eyes.
Usagi's eyes opened wide in fear, she didn't want to be involved with this stressful situation at all. She shook her head, twisting her wrist in his iron grip trying to free herself. Casting a worried look over her shoulder, she realized with further dread that the four girls had caught sight of Saphir and now her.
"I need you to kiss me." He stated, staring at her sternly, his eyes like cold steel.
Usagi felt her body tremble, this was going from bad to worse. She couldn't communicate very well with out both her hands, to write down her words. She yanked hard on her hand, it only made him grip her wrist harder. She could now feel her bones grinding together. Swallowing in rising fear, she tried to push out sounds from her throat which only continued to betray her. Saphir swung her around, slamming her into the side of a video console, moving his body in tight against hers so she couldn't run away.
Usagi attempted to twist her face away, but she wasn't fast enough the boy rudely pressed his lips against hers. Usagi squealed in protest, slamming her knee up into his groin. Saphir grunted in pain, releasing her wrist instantly. Muttering curses he clutched his privates, stumbling backwards a few steps, collapsing to the floor in agony. Usagi was seething her hands balled into fists as her sides, as she glared daggers down at the boy who had just forced himself upon her.
What is wrong with human males, that they think that they can do as they pleased with her! She raged onward over human male stupidity in her mind.
But the damage had already been done. The green haired girl had seen the kiss, and she was a now a full on, ball of fury.
"Who the hell do you think you are!" She stampeded over to Usagi, shoving her backwards a few steps.
The three other girls hovering just behind her, calling her the foulest of names.
Usagi stood her ground, blinking back tears, casting her eyes about in a vain attempt to find Naru.
"Answer me you little slut!" The tall girl, now moved to hover over the small form of Usagi wanting to increase the girls fear. Usagi was quaking now, she was never one to deal with confrontations well. She had rarely ever had to defend herself, having Luna and her Senshi to defend her. She rarely got the chance to leave the palace and was honestly quite sheltered when it came to dealing with other people.
Usagi attempted to tell the furious girl that she was mute, by rubbing her throat and opening her mouth to make no sounds.
"The Bitch can't talk?"The brunette laughed, hands on her hips. The rest fell in line, laughing at her with a shrillness of four harpies.
Usagi smiled grimly, taking another step backwards trying to slink away.
"Oh no you don't little whore, you got to pay for kissing my man." The green hair girl glared down at her with pure menace in her dark green eyes. She lunged out like lightening, grabbing one of Usagi's blonde tails yanking her forward.
Usagi cried out in pain, the older girl pulling her tail so hard it released the bun. She then led Usagi down the corridor of games, threw the back hall and out the back door so their confrontation wouldn't be disturbed.
Saphir groaned, Usagi had dealt him a good blow he had nearly lost consciousness. Pulling himself off the floor he just noticed the gang of girls dragging a struggling, whining Usagi out back. With a brutal swear, his plan going far worse then he had planned. He just wanted Prisma jealous, to get back at her for cheating on him. He never wanted Usagi to get beat up! He dashed to his feet, running for the front counter to get Motoki.
Prisma pushed Usagi up against the brick wall at the back of Crown. Her back struck heavily, head snapping back hard, arms cast up and to her sides by the momentum of the shove. Seeing spots, she stumbled forward, half her hair now hanging loose around her left shoulder. She rubbed the back of her head ruefully, casting the three girls now surrounding her scared looks.
They glared back at her, cool and cold. She knew a fight was eminent, she managed to weasel herself into few training sessions with her Senshi. So she knew the basics of defence but she had never had to put it into practice. Swallowing her fear, she brought her fists up moving into a defensive stance with her feet far apart. Her face did not show confidence, but utter terror.
Prisma laughed sardonic at the silly girls little combat pose. Shaking her head with a deep sigh , she pressed her hands to her ample hips. Then snapped a finger, a snide smile on her face.
Usagi saw the three girls lunge for her out of the corner of her eyes. She kicked, punched and thrashed as they grappled against her. Finally the taller of the three with dark curly hair had managed to grasp her arms and pin them behind her back. The other two girls were not unscathed. Usagi had managed to use her nails to scratch the platinum blonde girl along her cheek, and the brunette had a cut lip from one of her fists. Usagi struggled against the taller woman, jumping and twisting, slightly dislocating her shoulder in the process. She flung her head back, trying to head butt her, finding only thin air. The woman had a longer arms and had remained further back then her neck could reach.
Usagi knew the inevitable beating was going to start any second now. She knew what to expect, having been in situations like this with the bandits. Their leader always managed to intervene in time to save her from the men's brutal fists. But he liked to let them play with her a little, enjoying her fear. This time the pain was unavoidable. She squeezed her eyes shut, tucking her head against her shoulder, bracing herself.
The green haired girl screamed her fury, kicking her with all she had in the gut. Usagi cried out, then coughed in pain as her breath was taking away by another blow to the gut. Then she felt her head being thrust backward by a punch to the cheek, then another strike hit her other cheek sending her face in the opposite direction. By the fourth strike to the gut, she was panting and bawling, tears streaming down her face. The dark haired girl released her, allowing her to stagger away a few paces. She spit out blood, her mouth filled with a bitter iron taste. Her lips were stinging from a long cut, as she hunched over herself. Clutching her belly which was throbbing. She made it only a couple steps before one of the girls shoved her hard, casting her sprawling to the pavement. She barely had time to curl up in a protective ball before all four of them began to kick her all over. She wailed and let off strangled screams her body feeling like it was breaking under their brutal assaults.
"Hey!" Motoki slammed the back door open, screaming at the girls. The leader flipped him the middle finger, running off with her three friends laughing evilly at beating the now prone form of Usagi.
Motoki grasped her around the shoulders, guiding her up to a sitting position. It was then Naru rushed out of the back door, her face pale and full of fear.
"What happened?" she rushed to Motoki's side, kneeling beside Usagi looking at her bruised, bloody face in anguish. "I'll file a report with the police." Motoki stated, with venom, casting furious looks down the now empty alley Usagi's four assailants had ran out of.
Usagi felt physically horrible, embarrassed by her weakness, and furious that those girls got the best of her. Her anger was misdirected, but she didn't want Motoki and Naru fawning over her. Gathering herself off the greasy dirty cement of the alley, she stood on shaky legs, seething with inner rage, hands balled into fists, glaring at her black dress shoes.
Motoki placed an arm around her shoulder, seeking to comfort her. Usagi screamed at him, her voice cracking and barely there. Rolling her shoulders away from his soothing embrace, turning on her heel and racing away. She made it several blocks, before the the sky exploded into thunder a magnificent bolt of lightening rocketing across the sky. Usagi jumped, and screamed again as the rain poured down. She was soaked to the bone in seconds as the torrental rain began to pelt her. Running with everything she had, her heart near bursting in her chest. Adrenaline surging through her small body, by the sheer terror the storm was provoking within her. The storm was honestly scaring her worse then the beating.
(MAMO-CHAN!) She screamed in fright, pressing her palms against her ears as another clap of thunder echoed over her head.
Mamoru was riding home from the University, when Usagi's soul link exploded in his head once more.
Her voice thundered in his mind, full of pain, terror and humiliation. Mamoru swerved in mid traffic, nearly careening into a bus. As he changed lanes, jumping over the cement divider between the streets. Tearing off in the opposite direction, his heart guiding him to were she was now hiding from the rising storm. The down pour was falling heavily upon the twilight shadowed streets of Juban, as Mamoru eased his bike slowly up the street from the Crown Arcade. Searching the deeper shadows of alley ways, and fire escapes for a very small, very terrorfied young woman.
His heart was burning with worry, her anguished emotions still coursing raw through their link. Finally he caught sight of a golden cascade of hair hiding in a glass phone booth. Parking his bike, yanking off his helmet, as he dashed through the blinding rain towards the booth. As he closed in, he took in the utterly broken sight she made. Huddled up in a damp heap inside the glass booth, her uniform plastered to her tiny frame, with her knees dawn up under she chin. Hugging her legs tight to her chest, her hair pulled out of the buns, trailing down her shoulders to the dirty floor. As he rounded in front of the booth he gasped in sudden distress at her beaten face, with two black eyes, pink and swollen, her lower lip swelling along the side with a jagged gash.
He slammed the door open, jarring the girl out of her deep thoughts. She cried out in fright, then crawled sobbing into his arms.
"What the hell happened, Usako." He breathed, seeing red someone hurt her, and someone was going to pay dearly for it. He brushed her damp hair away from her face tenderly, as she pressed deeper into his chest, as if seeking to hide herself.
She didn't say a word, could never say a single word! Usagi raged in her mind. Mamoru held her tight, comforting her when the thunder boomed and she jumped in his arms. He had her home and safe in no time.
Mamoru busied himself with tending to her, first he disappeared to draw a hot tub of water to warm her up. While she retreated to her bedroom to take off all her wet clothes. The thunder still crashing outside, causing her already raw nerves to fray even more. With her hair flowing freely down her back, tears rolling down her cheeks in a steady stream, she moved on auto pilot in the nude down the hall towards her bath. Luna was out, having left the house for her evening patrol of the neighbour hood at dusk, when the storm struck. She was waiting out the storm some where, not willing to get wet she would remain in hiding till it had past.
Mamoru turned from testing the water in the tub, as he heard her soft steps. He hissed in deep sympathy as he took in the various sized bruises along her rib cage and hips, with one large one on her belly. He had been noticing that his reactions to her naked body were changing, he would always be intensely attracted to her. Yet, now he felt a deeper more emotional attachment upon see her bare. He had been barely keeping his rage in check, since Usagi had told him she had gotten jumped by four girls at the arcade. As he looked upon her wounds, his rage flared to an almost blinding state. He wanted to hunt those girls down and hurt them as severely or more then what they did to his beloved. He wanted to scream into the night and take out his fury upon the trees, just to purge the poison from his soul.. He had no way to track them down and seek revenge for his his love, so he reigned in his anger focusing on soothing her pain in any way he could. He was going to get the full story from Motoki tomorrow, but for now Usako needed him in every way.
He quickly took up her hands, as he guided her into the warm water. She hissed in pain as it struck her tender flesh, sighing softly as her muscles began to relax.
She lounged in the water, resting her head against the rim of the tub. Closing her eyes, seeking comfort for herself within the peaceful darkness. He kissed the top of her head, then her temple. She responded to the loving touch with a quiet moan of approval. Her hair flowing over her shoulders, floating free in the small waves of the water. As he softly began brushing a sponge over every inch of her. Finding peace in the sweet sounds of pleasure she made. His caress carried more then just relief to her wounds, a golden glow shimmered under the surface of the water as he worked upon her. Mamoru felt energy entering his body, his fingers releasing it into her wounds, borne of an honest wish to make all her pain go away.
He watched the glow with a strange fascination, dropping the sponge so he could press his fingers lightly against her bare skin. Amazed at his very touch was instantly healing her bruises, and it seemed even more deeper, relieving the tension in her muscles as well.
Worried that she would resist him, he glanced up tentatively to gauge her reaction to his touch. Finding her still lounging back against the rim of the tub, her eyes closed, fluttering near sleep, basking in his caresses.
Mamoru swallowed nervously, this was the first time he was going to explore her flesh in it's entirety. He was very much aroused again, yet the feelings of appreciation of her body were not directed entirely within his groin. His spirit was engaged on a deep meaningful level, as he lightly began gliding his fingers down her sides, healing the bruises. He lightly rubbed his thumbs against her belly taking the bruise away as if merely erasing an unwanted splotch of paint from a perfect canvass. He caressed her arms, taking away the soreness, moving down to her thighs healing the bruising on her hips. His thumbs just grazing her womanhood as he moved downwards towards her tender feet. As he rubbed down her body, Usagi began to moan or sigh with longing for his touch to never stop. Once he was finished with her body, he judged her face needed attention next. With a lingering sigh of adoration, he began to caress her cheeks with just the tips of his fingers, drawing the pain and discolouration away. Rubbing his thumbs lovingly down her thin arching eyebrows, brushing tenderly over her eye lids. Running his fingers across the silky curves of her neck leaving a golden after glow.
"Usako?" Mamoru breathed, his heart beating very fast by all the subtle touches he had been giving her.
"Yes..." Usagi whispered lazily, her voice barely stronger then a whisper but there once more none the less. She smiled in delight, her body so relaxed it was tingling.
"Can I come in?" He inquired, finally feeling he could handle having her naked body next to his in a pure and loving way.
He had come to realize during the long caressing session with her, that this was the whole point of her soul bond ritual.
To get him beyond the physical, to reach for a higher level of love and commitment.
Usagi was silent for a few moments, then she leaned forward opening her sweet cerulean eyes, to stare at him with a pure unrestrained love. She was his, he was hers and the universe would never rip them apart.
"Yes..." she whispered.
Mamoru nodded, silently taking his clothes off and then slipping under the water before her. He leaned towards her, his heart still thundering, shaft very much at attention yet not the focus towards his actions. He picked her naked body up in his arms and set her in his lap. She curled up within his embrace, her head resting on his shoulder staring up into his eyes basking in the honest love he mirrored back to her. She slipped an arm over his chest, her slender fingers griping his other broad shoulde, while the other arms circled around to rest against his back. A golden glow began to engulf them both, as he merely held her to him, his arms encircling her. Fingers lightly brushing against the top of her butt were his hands clasped together. He would kiss her forehead, her temple, her cheeks, trail kisses down her neck seeking only to soothe her hurting body, heal every pain she felt with his love. Usagi sighed deeply and at ease in his arms, closing her eyes with a sense of relief.
The storm raged on through out the night, but it did not frighten her, she was finally safe in his arms.